Back in February, top show jumper Kent Farrington suffered a serious leg injury when he fell off 12-year-old Lucifer V in a 1.30m class at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Here, he talks about his road to recovery and his hopes for this season.
Now you are back from injury, what are your main focuses this year, are you eyeing up the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping?
“For sure my eye is on all the big Rolex competitions and of course the Rolex Grand Slam. I was so disappointed to miss The Dutch Masters, but I will focus on getting back on track and aim for that ultimate prize. I am excited for Aachen in July, it is one of the best competitions in the world and I am looking forward to competing against the world’s best riders.”
How did it feel to be back in the saddle?
“The first couple of times I was a little apprehensive – I thought ‘am I going to remember how to ride’ etc. I had a lot of pain the first time, I couldn’t ride in the stirrups, but I had to control my mind set and tell myself it was going to better. I had to accept I could only make baby steps and each day it would get a little bit better and a little bit better. When I first jumped a course again, it felt good. It felt ok to ride and jump – it was so exciting, I was like a little kid at Christmas. It’s weird because when you do something your whole life you take for granted how fun it is, for me to be back in the saddle and riding made me feel alive again.”